When he arrived to St. Louis from Chicago, he wanted to bring something fresh and new to the Mound City’s social scene. But instead of promoting nightclub parties, so cliché, he did something different yet obvious. He established a movie night group. B. Free Paparazzi is a pre-arranged movie release meet-up group for eager-to-socialize young urban professionals in St. Louis. In his own words, B. Free Paparazzi is “Just a lil group who get together to go catch flick as they come out. Why go solo if you can do it big. We pick a movie, then a theatre, find out what the minimum is for a group rate and we try and see how many people we can get to the show.” After the show, people continue to hang out and socialize. How grand is that? B. Free has become a very popular social group – showing up en masse at various local movie houses. Teddy’s even been able to leverage the movie meet-up into something more – forums and evening soirees.

His very first venture was May 2008 when B. Free ‘went to the movies’ to see Iron Man starring Robert Downey, Jr. Since then, B. Free Paparazzi at the Movies to see Iron Man.B. Free has pre-sold tickets to some of the most anticipated movies such as The Love Guru, The Family That Preys, and Watchmen. This weekend B. Free goes to the movies to see an animated flick for children audiences, a first for the group, to DreamWorks Monsters vs. Aliens.

You can join Teddy and the rest of the B. Free crew this Saturday, March 28th at the AMC West Olive 16 Theater to see Monster vs Aliens. This is a family friendly outing so bring the whole gang. You can purchase adult and children tickets online now. Visit here for details. Look for the gentleman with the smiling face and camera in hand.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

To stem the violence and crime that occurs in the wee hours of the evening, local and state law enforcers came to East St. Louis, Illinois to propose a daring measure --- close East St. Louis evening establishments at the same time as establishments on the other side of the river.

Many St. Louis party-goers who are not yet ready to "shut it down" head over to one or many of the entertainment venues just over the bridge. You can party well past the St. Louis, Missouri club closing time of 1-3 am. In fact, some East Side clubs close at six in the morning.

Late night club closing is one of the draws of the small economically-struggling town. In fact, late night entertainment may be the most successful business in the town. Closing establishments earlier could have some many consequences. That's exactly what law enforcers hope...there will be less crime. One of the most note-worthy violent crimes that happened in East St. Louis in the late evening was the slaying of Lee "The Rose Man" Nixon. Earlier closing times would decrease the number of disturbance calls the understaffed East St. Louis Police Department would have to handle.

Thu Mar 57 pmThe Community Cinema Series Film Screening of Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari MaathaiPresented by KETC-TV and the Missouri History Museum.The film is the story of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai of Kenya whose tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy.Panel Discussion to follow.The discussion continues after the program at The Royale (3132 S. Kingshighway)More information and online discussion at http://www.ketc.org/teach/communitycinema.aspRSVP on FacebookFree

Thu Mar 1211:00 amGallery Talk: European Culture and Arts at the Time of the Ming DynastyAnn Burroughs, EducatorMeet at the Information CenterSt. Louis Art MuseumA lively and informative discussion in the galleries.Early arrival is highly recommended.Free

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Fri Mar 136:00 pmGallery Talk:European Culture and Arts at the Time of the Ming DynastyAnn Burroughs, EducatorMeet at the Information CenterSt. Louis Art MuseumA lively and informative discussion in the galleries.Early arrival is highly recommended.Free

Sat Mar 148:00 pmShemekia Copeland PerformsBeale on BroadwayThe Chicago blues singing sensation whose appearances on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien along openers for the Rolling Stones have propelled to the top in a very short time and at such a very young age. She comes to St. Louis for a very intimate listening engagement.Cost: $15.00 Seating is limited to 75 and it's general admission.Early arrival recommended

Thursday, March 19, 20097:00pm - 9:00pmI Was a Teenage Feminist: A Documentary Film About Redefining the F-WordMissouri History MuseumLindell and DeBaliviere in Forest ParkSaint Louis, MOMore info: 314 746-4599; email: info@mohistory.org

Sat Mar 2110:00 – 11:30 amKaldi’s Coffee Series: “Let it Flow: Espresso”Whole Foods MarketWhole Lifestyle Center1601 S. Brentwood Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63144Kaldi’s top baristas will host a lively, interactive, informative coffee series. This class will remove the myth behind expresso and open palettes to a world of taste hidden within a coffee bean. You’ll also receive a FREE Private Tour of the Kaldi’s Roasting Facility and a free bag of coffee!Class size limited – sign up today.Register online (wholefoodsmarket.com), at our Customer Service desk in person, or by calling 314-968-7744. Fee: $10. Payment is required at the time of registration.

Tue Mar 245 - 7 p.m.United Way’s GenNext Informational MeetingCardwell's in Clayton8100 Maryland Ave.Clayton, MO 63105Are you looking to learn more about GenNext? Perhaps you haven't been to an event in awhile and want to reconnect. Or you want to make connections with other community-minded young professionals?Door prizes and drink specials, including $4 Absolut drinks, $2 domestic beers and $4 margaritas.

Wed Mar 257:30 am – 9:00 amUnited Way’s Educational forum: Capitalizing on Differences in Gender, Diversity and GenerationsThis program will explore how workplace and community diversity adds to the St. Louis region's competitive advantage. It is designed for all individuals interested in learning more about diversity in our region and how to get connected for success. There will be opportunities to network with local executives and learn more about their specific organizations.United Way of Greater St. Louis910 North 11th StreetSt. Louis MO 63101To RSVP, click here. Space is limited, and a reservation is required.Contact Michelle Patterson at Michelle.Patterson@stl.unitedway.org or at (314) 539-4198 with other questions.

Wed Mar 25Noon - 1 p.m.Lunch Time Networking with United Way: Teach for America815 Olive StreetSt. Louis, MO 63101Enjoy lunch with Scott Baier, the new executive director of Teach for America in St. Louis. Scott joined the St. Louis office in October 2008 and has been with Teach for America since 1997. Mr. Baier will talk about his career, Teach for America's mission and why he feels it's important for young professionals to be involved in their community.RSVP required.Contact info: gennext@stl.unitedway.org

Sat Mar 288:30 am – 1:30pmCleanup the Confluence - Mississippi/Missouri Rivers Clean-up EventVolunteers neededMeet at the Missouri entrance to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Missouri River Relief will take volunteers by boat to pre-determined sites along the Mississippi River to pick up trash and debris.Lunch providedTo register as a volunteer, click hereMore info at Trailnet

Sat Mar 2812:00-3:00 pmSt. Louis NetIP Giving Back...Community Service Project10 volunteers are needed to help repackage donated food for the St. Louis Area Foodbank.The St. Louis Area Foodbank helps feed hungry people by distributing food through its member agencies, and educates the public about the nature of and the solutions to the problems of hunger.More info: http://www.netipstl.org/events.php

Sunday, March 298:30 am - 3:30 pmThe Tenth Annual BIG BIG TourMullanphy ILC School4221 Shaw Blvd near the Missouri Botanical Garden)Volunteers are needed and you get to attend the Tour for free before or after your shift.Shifts are: 8:30-11a.m., 11a.m.-1:30 p.m., 1-3:30 p.m.ReVitalize St. Louis is seeking volunteers to help with event operations at the only “free to the public” tour of residential properties that are for sale throughout the City of St. Louis.The events purpose is to promote revitalization in the city of St. Louis through historic preservation and sensitive, planned development and includes a free Homebuyers Expo from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.If you are interested in volunteering, contact http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=volunteer@fuelforthecity.org.

March 6 through March 30Mad March Show – Exhibition of the Art of Baird and Jeff BrawnOpen 10 am dailyMad Art GalleryFree2727 S. 12th St. (Soulard), St. Louis, MO 63118More info: 314-771-8230

Now through March 15A Song for Coretta presented by The Black Rep7 pm Thursdays8 pm Fridays3 pm and 8 pm Saturdays

3 pm SundaysGrandel Theatre (3610 Grandel Square)Inspired by the long line of mourners who came by Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the play introduces five fictional African-American women, aged 17 to 57, waiting in the rain to say their good-byes.

Now through March 15The Orange Girls Present EURYDICE8pm Thursdays - Saturdays2pm SundaysCOCA (524 Trinity, The Delmar Loop)In the first show of their 2009 Season, The Orange Girls present the St. Louis premiere of Eurydice, a tender-hearted retelling of the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Acclaimed playwright Sara Ruhl creates what The New York Times calls “an inexpressibly moving theatrical fable about love, loss and the pleasures and pains of memory.”Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $18 for students and older adults and $15 for season subscribers.$15 tickets are also available for patrons who bring personal care items to the Saturday performances. These items will be donated to Karen House, a local charity that helps women and children in need.More info: 314-520-9557

Sunday, March 08, 2009

The second week of March offers as much to do as last week. I'm especially looking forward to the Happy Hour Networking events by Fuel, KWMU Young Friends and the Holi celebration of the Festival of Colors. Read more >>

Trivia Night-Garden Style The Young Friends of the Garden hosted it's first Trivia Night and fundraiser. A special thank to everyone who came out and supported the Missouri Botanical Garden. We had a blast and I am really proud of the fact that our 2 tables took 7th and 8th place out of 19! It was a great time.